End-of-railway-car cushioned draft assembly

ABSTRACT

An end-of-railway-car cushioned draft assembly reciprocally mounted on the end of the center sill arrangement of a flat deck railroad car which arrangement includes a coupler pivotally connected to a slidable cushioning unit for pivotal horizontal movement of the coupler wherein the coupler pin is retained in a vertical position at the end of the cushioning unit housing and retained from falling therefrom by a coupler pin retainer assembly including a horizontal plate mounted on a bracket arrangement connected to the cushioning housing return spring lug used to connect the return spring unit of the cushioning assembly to the housing.

[58] Field of Search ..2l3/8.43, 50.5, 57, 64, 67

United States Patent 1 Sitko 1March 13, 1973 [s 1 END-OF-RAILWAY-CAR CUSHIONED DRAFT ASSEMBLY [75] lnventor:

[52] US. Cl. ..213/8, 213/43, 213/50.5, 213/57, 213/69 [51] Int. Cl. ..B6lg 9/02,'B6lg 7/10 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Vickerman ..213/8 Zonow 3,561,611 2/1971 Hawthorne et a1. ..2l3/69 Primary Examiner-Drayton E. l-lloffman Attorney-Hilmond O. Vogel and Richard J. Myers [57] ABSTRACT An end-of-railway-car cushioned draft assembly reciprocally mounted on the end of the center sill arrangement of a flat deck railroad car which arrangement includes a coupler pivotally connected to a slidable cushioning unit for pivotal horizontal movement of the coupler wherein the coupler pin is retained in a vertical position at the end of the cushioning unit housing and retained from falling; therefrom by a coupler pin retainer assembly including a horizontal plate mounted on a bracket arrangement connected to the cushioning housing return spring lug used to connect the return spring unit of the cushioning assemblyto the housing.

6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHAR 1 3197s SHEET 10F 3 PATENTEDMARmm I ,7 0,325

SHEET 20F 3 INVENTOR LEOPOLD S. S/TKO PATENTEUmmamn 37203-25 8HEET3DF3 IN VENTOF? LEOPOLD 5. 5m

END-OF-RAILWAY-CAR CUSHIONED DRAFT ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the field of end-of-railroadcar draft units or appliances of the cushioning type and,

.in particular, with the coupler or drawbar connection with the cushioning unit.

2. Description of the Prior Art Heretofore it has been common practice to hold the couplerpin of the draft appliance for connecting of the coupler to the cushioning unit by means of a threaded plate or plug in the opening in the end of the cushioning SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the general purpose, advantage and objective of this invention to provide for an improved coupling arrangement between the cushioning unit housing of the end of railroad car draft appliance and the coupler of the draft appliance wherein the coupler pin is retained in a generally vertical position, and cannot become misaligned from its normal position, by a novel coupler pin retainer unit. This novel coupler pin retainer unit is attached to the return spring attachment on the housing portion of the cushioning unit and serves to cover thecoupler pin opening in the housing bore so that the coupler .pin cannot fall out of the coupler pin bore in the housing of the cushioning unit. In one embodiment, the coupler pin retainer unit is designed to provide for a U-shaped yoke member that reacts against the cushioning unit housing lug that connects with the return spring unit of the cushioning assembly to hold the verti' cal coupler pin in place and in another embodiment the coupler pin retainer unit is provided with a horizontal cross member that reacts against the return spring clevis of the return spring unit to retain the coupler pin at a given position. By such an arrangement the coupler pin is maintained in its desired vertically aligned position in the end of the cushioning unit housing and the coupler pin retainer unit cannot be removed from the cushioning unit housing bore until the return spring unit pin is removed and the return spring moved away from the cushioning unit housing and then the coupler pin retainer unit may be moved away from the bore in the cushioning unit to permit the coupler pin to fall down out of the cushioning unit housing.

These and other advantages and objects will become apparentfrom reference to the following description, attached drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFTI'IE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 isa side elevational view of the draft appliance or gear of a flat deck railroad car and has parts in section;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and showing the coupler pin retainer unit in top plan view;

FIG. 3 is an end viewof the coupler pin retainer unit with a part of the coupler pin extending upward therefrom;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the coupler pin retainer unit;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a modified form of the coupler pin retainer unit that is attached to the return spring unit;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the modified retainer unit shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken generally along line 8-8 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the modified coupler pin retainer unit shown in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to the drawings and in particular with reference to FIG. 1, there is shown an end-of-car draft assembly or appliance l which is attached to each end of the fixed center sill 2 which supports the flat deck 7 (partially shown) of a flat deck railroad car. The draft assembly 1 includes the usual coupler 4 pivotally connected with the end of the cushioning unit housing 9a of the cushioning unit 9. The coupler extends through the center sill bellmouthed opening portion 3 of the center sill 2 and has a coupler head 5 and a coupler shank 6. The inner end of the coupler shank 6 is pivotally connected to the outer end of the housing 9a by the coupler pin 8. The cushioning unit housing 9a defines the end of the cushioning unit cylinder 11 in which is located the cushioning unit piston assembly 10. The return spring assembly 12 is connected to the end of the movable housing 9a and to the fixed center sill 2. This general type of arrangement is shown, for instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,944,681 to Blake where the return spring of the cushioning unit is mounted on the outside of the center sill and is connected with the movable draft gear or assembly 1 at the end of the railroad car. In the instant application the coupler pin is in a vertical position and the return spring unit is mounted underneath the center sill. Buff forces imparted to the head 5 of the coupler are transmitted via'the coupler shank 6 into the end of the cushioning unit housing 9a with the coupler and the cushioning unit housing and cylinder moving while the piston assembly 10 remains fixed and the return spring assembly is placed under compression by being attached to the movable housing 9a through means of downward depending lug l4 fixed on the housing of the movable cushioning unit and to the spring return bracket 15 fixedly attached to the fixed cushioning unit carrier plate 16 fixedly attached to the fixed center sill 2 with resultant compression of both return springs 17 and 18 of return spring unit 12.

The coupler shank 6 is provided. on its underside with a coupler wear plate 6a and the center sill 2 at each of its outer ends of the car is provided with a bellmouthed end part 2a which carries a cross member or coupler carrier 2b on which is mounted a carrier wear plate 20 for frictional engagement with the coupler wear plate 60. The bellmouthed end part of the center sill is provided with the usual striker meansv 2d. The coupler pin 8 is provided with a top cap 8a which has a top flange portion 8b welded to the deck 7 (on the top 2e of the center sill 2) which has an opening 7a communicating with the pin 8 and a plug part 80 of the cap 8a extends into the opening 7a above the coupler pin 8. This cap prevents the pin from being withdrawn upwardly from the cushioning unit 9. The outer end of the housing 9a is against the front draft lug means 27 affixed to the insides of the center sill limiting outward travel of the draft appliance 1.

In addition to FIG. 1, reference now should also be made more particularly to FIGS. 2-5 which depict a first embodiment of the invention employing the novel coupler pin retainer unit 13. As shown in FIG. 4, the coupler pin 8 is held in a vertical position in housing bore 19 at the end of the housing 9a of the cushioning unit 9. The coupler pin 8 extends through the bore 20 in the end of the coupler shank 6 which extends into the opening 9b in housing 9a. The coupler pin lower end 21 rests on top of the horizontal upper retainer plate or member 22 which is mounted on top of the U- shaped member or retainer unit yoke 23. Upright generally rectangularly shaped longitudinally extending brackets 24 are attached to the insides of the respective yoke legs 23a of the yoke 23 which is also provided with a back reaction member or portion 23b. Each bracket 24 is provided with a bore 25 for reception of return spring unit clevis bolt 26 which also extends through the return spring attachment lug 14 which is in the form of a depending arm extending down from and fixed to the lower outer end portion of the cushioning unit housing 9a. The return spring clevis 28 includes a pair of apertured ear parts 29 on opposite sides of the lug l4 and connected therewith by means of the bolt 26 and a respective bracket 24 is outwardly of a respective ear part 29. The clevis 28 of the return spring unit 12 couples with each return compression spring 17 and 18. Thus, it is seen, the invention resides in the novel coupler pin retainer unit 13 and its relationship with the return spring assembly, the coupler and the cushioning unit housing whereby the retainer unit 13 supports the coupler pin 8 in an upright position and prevents the same from falling from the cushioning unit housing and the retainer unit 13 is coupled to the bolt 26 which also carries the return spring assembly and which is connected to the lower end of the cushioning unit housing. In such a manner the coupler pin retainer assembly cannot become easily detached and lost. The coupler pin retainer assembly supports the coupler pin on its shelf or plate member 22 with the coupler pin being supported so that the reaction is taken up in member 23b and transmitted to the back of the reaction lug l4 fixedly connected to the housing 9a.

A modified form of the invention is seen in FIGS. 6-9 where there is shown a coupler pin retainer assembly 13' provided with a shelf or horizontal plate 22' to support the coupler pin. Apertured side bracket members 24' are coupled to the bolt 26 as in the first embodiment, the main difference in the modification being that a reaction cross member 30 is mounted on the underside of'the shelf 22' and between brackets 24' and reacts against the top of the clevis ears or legs 29 of the clevis 28 instead of being provided with a reaction back collar part 23b as in the first embodiment. The leg portions 24a of the brackets 24 carry the shelf 22'.

The foregoing description and drawings merely ex plain and illustrate the invention and the invention is not limited thereto, except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: 1. An end-of-car draft appliance for a railroad car comprising:

a coupler, a cushioning unit adapted to be mounted within the end of the car center sill for longitudinal movement with respect thereto, said cushioning unit having a housing positionable for longitudinal movement with respect to the end of the car center sill, a vertically mountable coupler pin connecting the housing with the coupler for pivotal movement of the coupler in a generally horizontal plane, return spring means for returning the cushioning unit to a normal position after a buff impact, A coupler pin retainer means for supporting the coupler pin in a generally vertical position comprising: a coupler pin support member disposed underneath the pin,

bracket means carrying said support member and having connection means being coupled with said return spring means and said housing,

said retainer means having a reaction means engageable with said connection means in supporting said coupler pin,

said connection means including a pin member connecting the housing and the return spring means with one another,

said bracket means including a pair of upright bracket members being spaced apart from one another and being apertured for receiving of the pin member therethrough,

said reaction means including a U-shaped member having a pair of legs connected by a reaction member, each leg carrying a respective bracket member therefrom and supporting said coupler pin support member opposite said reaction member,

said connection means including a lug depending from said housing for carrying said pin member and said bracket members and return spring means thereon, said reaction member engaging with said lug whereby said support member prevents said coupler pin from falling out of its coupled condition in the housing.

2. An end-of-car draft appliance for a railroad car comprising:

a coupler,

a cushioning unit adapted to be mounted within the end of the car center sill for longitudinal movement with respect thereto,

said cushioning unit having a housing positionable for longitudinal movement with respect to the end of the car center sill,

a vertically mountable coupler pin'connecting the housing with the coupler for pivotal movement of the coupler in a generally horizontal plane, 2

return spring means for returning the cushioning unit to a normal position after a buff impact,

a coupler pin retainer means for supporting the coupler pin in a generally vertical position comprising:

a coupler pin support member disposed underneath the pin,

bracket means carrying said support member and having connection means being coupled with said return spring means and said housing,

said retainer means having a reaction means engageable with said connection means in supporting said coupler pin,

said connection means including an apertured lug depending from the housing and a pin member extending therethrough and said bracket means including a pair of vertical bracket members each apertured to receive said pin member on a respective side of the lug and supporting said support member thereon,

said reaction means including a reaction cross member connecting with said bracket members and said connection means including a spring return element carried by said pin member and disposed underneath and engaging with said reaction cross member attendant to the supporting of said coupler pin by said support member.

3. An end-of-car draft appliance for a railroad car comprising:

a coupler,

a cushioning unit adapted to be mounted within the end of the car center sill for longitudinal movement with respect thereto,

said cushioning unit having a housing positionable for longitudinal movement with respect to the end of the car center sill,

said housing having an upright bore with a bottom opening and a depending lug,

a vertically mountable coupler pin disposed within said bore in a vertical position, said coupler extending in said bore and said coupler pin extending through said coupler for pivotal movement of the coupler in a generally horizontal plane,

.retum spring means mounted on the underside of the center sill and connecting with the housing lug for returning the cushioning unit to a normal position after a buff impact,

coupler pin retainer means mounted on said lug for supporting the coupler pin in a generally vertical position comprising:

a coupler pin support member disposed underneath the bottom opening and supporting said pin from falling out of said bore,

bracket means carrying said support member and having connection means being coupled with said return spring means and said housing lug,

said retainer means having a reaction means reactively associated with said lug in supporting said coupler pin,

said connection means including a pin member connecting the housing and the return spring means with one another,

said bracket means including a pair of upright bracket members being spaced apart from one another and being apertured for receiving of the pin member therethrough,

said reaction means including a U-shaped member having a pair of legs connected by a reaction member, each leg carrying a respective bracket member therefrom and supporting said coupler pin support member opposite said reaction member,

said reaction member engaging with said lug whereby said support member prevents said coupler pin from falling out; of its coupled condition in the housing.

4. An end-of-car draft appliance for a railroad car comprising:

a coupler,

a cushioning unit adapted to be mounted within the end of the car center sill for longitudinal movement with respect thereto,

said cushioning unit having a housing positionable for longitudinal movement with respect to the end of the car center sill,

said housing having an upright: bore with a bottom opening and a depending lug,

a vertically mountable coupler pin disposed within said bore in a vertical position, said coupler extending in said bore and said coupler pin extending through said coupler for pivotal movement of the coupler in a generally horizontal plane,

return spring means mounted on the underside of the center sill and connecting with the housing lug for returning the cushioning unit to a normal position after a buff impact,

a coupler pin retainer means mounted on said lug for supporting the coupler pin in a generally vertical position comprising:

a coupler pin support member disposed underneath the bottom opening and supporting said pin from falling out of said bore,

bracket means carrying said support'member and having connection means being coupled with said return spring means and said housing lug,

said retainer means having a reaction means reactively associated with said lug in supporting said coupler pin,

said connection means including a pin member extending through the lug and said bracket means including a pair of vertical bracket members each apertured to receive said pin member and supporting said support member thereon,

said reaction means including a reaction cross member connecting with said bracket members and said connection means including a return spring element coupling with said return spring means and carried by said pin member and disposed underneath and engaging with said reaction cross member attendant to the support ing of said coupler pin by said support member.

5. An end-of-car draft appliance for a railroad car comprising:

a coupler,

a cushioning unit adapted to be mounted within the end of the car center sill for longitudinal movement with respect thereto,

said cushioning unit having a housing positionable for longitudinal movement with respect to the end of the car center sill,

a vertically mountable coupler pin connecting the housing with the coupler for pivotal movement of the coupler in a generally horizontal plane,

return spring means for returning the cushioning unit to a normal position after a buff impact,

comprising;

a coupler pin retainer means being pivotally mounted on the housing and return spring means for supporting the coupler pin in a generally vertical position comprising a coupler pin support member disposed underneath the pin and bracket means carrying said support member and having connection means being coupled with said return spring means and said housing,

said retainer means having a reaction means on the bracket means and engageable with said connection means in supporting said coupler pin,

said connection means including pivot pin means connecting the housing and the return spring means and the retainer means with one another,

said pivot means including a lug portion and a pivot pin carried by said lug portion and coupling the housing with the return spring means and the cushioning unit, said bracket means including a pair of arms and said reaction means including a reaction member being carried by said arms and engaging said lug portion to prevent said support member from pivoting away from said coupler pin.

6. An end-of-car draft appliance for a railroad car a coupler,

a cushioning unit adapted to be mounted within the end of the car center sill for longitudinal movement with respect thereto, I

said cushioning unit having a housing positionable for longitudinal movement with respect to the end of the car center sill,

a vertically mountable coupler pin connecting the housing with the coupler for pivotal movement of the coupler in a generally horizontal plane,

return spring means for returning the cushioning unit to a normal position after a buff impact,

a coupler pin retainer means being pivotally mounted on the housing and return spring means for supporting the coupler pin in a generally vertical position comprising a coupler pin support member disposed underneath the pin and bracket means carrying said support member and having connection means being coupled with said return spring means and said housing,

said retainer means having a reaction means on the bracket means and engageable with said connection means in supporting said coupler pin,

said connection means including pivot pin means connecting the housing and the return spring means and the retainer means with one another,

said bracket means including a pair of arms, said pivot pin means including a lug connecting with the housing and a return spring clevis connecting with the return spring means and a pivot pin connecting the clevis and lug with the bracket arms, said reaction means including a reaction member on the arms and engaging with the clevis to prevent said support member from pivoting away from aid coupler pin. 

1. An end-of-car draft appliance for a railroad car comprising: a coupler, a cushioning unit adapted to be mounted within the end of the car center sill for longitudinal movement with respect thereto, said cushioning unit having a housing positionable for longitudinal movement with respect to the end of the car center sill, a vertically mountable coupler pin connecting the housing with the coupler for pivotal movement of the coupler in a generally horizontal plane, return spring means for returning the cushioning unit to a normal posiTion after a buff impact, A coupler pin retainer means for supporting the coupler pin in a generally vertical position comprising: a coupler pin support member disposed underneath the pin, bracket means carrying said support member and having connection means being coupled with said return spring means and said housing, said retainer means having a reaction means engageable with said connection means in supporting said coupler pin, said connection means including a pin member connecting the housing and the return spring means with one another, said bracket means including a pair of upright bracket members being spaced apart from one another and being apertured for receiving of the pin member therethrough, said reaction means including a U-shaped member having a pair of legs connected by a reaction member, each leg carrying a respective bracket member therefrom and supporting said coupler pin support member opposite said reaction member, said connection means including a lug depending from said housing for carrying said pin member and said bracket members and return spring means thereon, said reaction member engaging with said lug whereby said support member prevents said coupler pin from falling out of its coupled condition in the housing.
 1. An end-of-car draft appliance for a railroad car comprising: a coupler, a cushioning unit adapted to be mounted within the end of the car center sill for longitudinal movement with respect thereto, said cushioning unit having a housing positionable for longitudinal movement with respect to the end of the car center sill, a vertically mountable coupler pin connecting the housing with the coupler for pivotal movement of the coupler in a generally horizontal plane, return spring means for returning the cushioning unit to a normal posiTion after a buff impact, A coupler pin retainer means for supporting the coupler pin in a generally vertical position comprising: a coupler pin support member disposed underneath the pin, bracket means carrying said support member and having connection means being coupled with said return spring means and said housing, said retainer means having a reaction means engageable with said connection means in supporting said coupler pin, said connection means including a pin member connecting the housing and the return spring means with one another, said bracket means including a pair of upright bracket members being spaced apart from one another and being apertured for receiving of the pin member therethrough, said reaction means including a U-shaped member having a pair of legs connected by a reaction member, each leg carrying a respective bracket member therefrom and supporting said coupler pin support member opposite said reaction member, said connection means including a lug depending from said housing for carrying said pin member and said bracket members and return spring means thereon, said reaction member engaging with said lug whereby said support member prevents said coupler pin from falling out of its coupled condition in the housing.
 2. An end-of-car draft appliance for a railroad car comprising: a coupler, a cushioning unit adapted to be mounted within the end of the car center sill for longitudinal movement with respect thereto, said cushioning unit having a housing positionable for longitudinal movement with respect to the end of the car center sill, a vertically mountable coupler pin connecting the housing with the coupler for pivotal movement of the coupler in a generally horizontal plane, return spring means for returning the cushioning unit to a normal position after a buff impact, a coupler pin retainer means for supporting the coupler pin in a generally vertical position comprising: a coupler pin support member disposed underneath the pin, bracket means carrying said support member and having connection means being coupled with said return spring means and said housing, said retainer means having a reaction means engageable with said connection means in supporting said coupler pin, said connection means including an apertured lug depending from the housing and a pin member extending therethrough and said bracket means including a pair of vertical bracket members each apertured to receive said pin member on a respective side of the lug and supporting said support member thereon, said reaction means including a reaction cross member connecting with said bracket members and said connection means including a spring return element carried by said pin member and disposed underneath and engaging with said reaction cross member attendant to the supporting of said coupler pin by said support member.
 3. An end-of-car draft appliance for a railroad car comprising: a coupler, a cushioning unit adapted to be mounted within the end of the car center sill for longitudinal movement with respect thereto, said cushioning unit having a housing positionable for longitudinal movement with respect to the end of the car center sill, said housing having an upright bore with a bottom opening and a depending lug, a vertically mountable coupler pin disposed within said bore in a vertical position, said coupler extending in said bore and said coupler pin extending through said coupler for pivotal movement of the coupler in a generally horizontal plane, return spring means mounted on the underside of the center sill and connecting with the housing lug for returning the cushioning unit to a normal position after a buff impact, coupler pin retainer means mounted on said lug for supporting the coupler pin in a generally vertical position comprising: a coupler pin support member disposed underneath the bottom opening and supporting said pin frOm falling out of said bore, bracket means carrying said support member and having connection means being coupled with said return spring means and said housing lug, said retainer means having a reaction means reactively associated with said lug in supporting said coupler pin, said connection means including a pin member connecting the housing and the return spring means with one another, said bracket means including a pair of upright bracket members being spaced apart from one another and being apertured for receiving of the pin member therethrough, said reaction means including a U-shaped member having a pair of legs connected by a reaction member, each leg carrying a respective bracket member therefrom and supporting said coupler pin support member opposite said reaction member, said reaction member engaging with said lug whereby said support member prevents said coupler pin from falling out of its coupled condition in the housing.
 4. An end-of-car draft appliance for a railroad car comprising: a coupler, a cushioning unit adapted to be mounted within the end of the car center sill for longitudinal movement with respect thereto, said cushioning unit having a housing positionable for longitudinal movement with respect to the end of the car center sill, said housing having an upright bore with a bottom opening and a depending lug, a vertically mountable coupler pin disposed within said bore in a vertical position, said coupler extending in said bore and said coupler pin extending through said coupler for pivotal movement of the coupler in a generally horizontal plane, return spring means mounted on the underside of the center sill and connecting with the housing lug for returning the cushioning unit to a normal position after a buff impact, a coupler pin retainer means mounted on said lug for supporting the coupler pin in a generally vertical position comprising: a coupler pin support member disposed underneath the bottom opening and supporting said pin from falling out of said bore, bracket means carrying said support member and having connection means being coupled with said return spring means and said housing lug, said retainer means having a reaction means reactively associated with said lug in supporting said coupler pin, said connection means including a pin member extending through the lug and said bracket means including a pair of vertical bracket members each apertured to receive said pin member and supporting said support member thereon, said reaction means including a reaction cross member connecting with said bracket members and said connection means including a return spring element coupling with said return spring means and carried by said pin member and disposed underneath and engaging with said reaction cross member attendant to the supporting of said coupler pin by said support member.
 5. An end-of-car draft appliance for a railroad car comprising: a coupler, a cushioning unit adapted to be mounted within the end of the car center sill for longitudinal movement with respect thereto, said cushioning unit having a housing positionable for longitudinal movement with respect to the end of the car center sill, a vertically mountable coupler pin connecting the housing with the coupler for pivotal movement of the coupler in a generally horizontal plane, return spring means for returning the cushioning unit to a normal position after a buff impact, a coupler pin retainer means being pivotally mounted on the housing and return spring means for supporting the coupler pin in a generally vertical position comprising a coupler pin support member disposed underneath the pin and bracket means carrying said support member and having connection means being coupled with said return spring means and said housing, said retainer means having a reaction means on the bracket means and engageable with said connection means in supporting said Coupler pin, said connection means including pivot pin means connecting the housing and the return spring means and the retainer means with one another, said pivot means including a lug portion and a pivot pin carried by said lug portion and coupling the housing with the return spring means and the cushioning unit, said bracket means including a pair of arms and said reaction means including a reaction member being carried by said arms and engaging said lug portion to prevent said support member from pivoting away from said coupler pin. 